Thai $13.5 billion handout scheme aims to boost economy, not specific to vulnerable groups, official says

(Reuters) – Thailand’s 500 billion baht ($13.53 billion) handout scheme is stimulus aimed at boosting the economy and not intended specifically to help vulnerable groups, a finance ministry official said on Wednesday.

Paopoom Rojanasakul, secretary to the finance minister, was responding to a question on a reporter’s question on a news report that the central bank had sent a letter to the cabinet asking it to reconsider the handout plan.

The central bank had earlier Wednesday told a press conference it had no objection to stimulus but wanted it to be targeted.

($1 = 36.9500 baht)

(Reporting by Orathai Sriring; Writing by Martin Petty)